Albrecht Beiling neemt afscheid van vrouw en kind, 1426 1842 - 1844

J.B. Clermans made this engraving called 'Albrecht Beiling saying goodbye to his wife and child, 1426', although it may not have been made in that year. It shows a man, presumably Albrecht Beiling, bidding farewell to his family. This image creates meaning through the visual codes of the time, depicting a scene of domesticity intertwined with duty. We can imagine that the culture of 15th-century Europe, with its emphasis on chivalry, warfare and dynastic succession, strongly influenced the artwork. The image also creates a strong sense of emotion, particularly with the woman and child who are seen to be in distress at the departure of Albrecht. To better understand this artwork, we could research the historical context of 15th-century Europe and the history of the Beiling family. Art history emphasizes that artworks are contingent on social and institutional contexts.